I am as surprised as anyone to be flat out nostalgic for American Horror Story: Asylum, so soon after watching the finale. This season was a pyramid of madness, with a wide foundation of depraved moments piling up to what Team Murphy/Falchuk call catharsis. Somehow, the rampant display of lunacy that guided the early episodes was very slowly sifted out, and the underlying story became one of humanity, and how our minds can never lie to us about who we really are.

Itís almost time to stick a fork in American Horror Story: Asylum, and too bad it isnít a pitchfork from Sister Mary Eunice. Her devilish discipline feels worlds away from the mental anguish now personified by Sister Jude Judy Martin, now called Betty Drake. Coincidentally, the real Betty Drake is a former actress-turned-psychotherapist. Maybe itís intentional irony, Iím not sure. What I am sure of is Iím beating around the bush because Iíd rather not think about how utterly depressed and alone I felt every time Jessica Lange was on screen.

After ďI am Anne Frank: Part 2,Ē I anxiously awaited Alfonso Gomez-Rejonís directorial return for the finale, as well as this stray episode in AHSís non-stop river of extroverted melodrama. I may have wasted my energies, as ďSpilt Milk,Ē which contains several scenes of heavy magnitude, shoveled in so many camera tweaks and techniques that Iíd believe its purpose was to pay homage to every single 1990s independent film director.

I donít make yearly resolutions, because there are many other months for me to renege on decisions Iíve sworn to. But a constant resolution Iíve taken up is, ďNever be surprised by American Horror Storyís next move. Always expect everything.Ē Someone will turn into a giant grasshopper. Someone will speak a word with the power to turn everyoneís hair purple. John Lennon was once a Briarcliff patient. These are things I am ready for.

A mere winter break isnít stopping American Horror Storyfrom guaranteeing your holidays are tainted by a million different storyline threads dangling around your mistletoe. Can we momentarily consider this show put its Christmas episode the week before the last episode shown before Christmas. AHS says, ďFuck your calendar. Iím still on that Viking shit.Ē Letís get elementary this week, shall we? I present the ABCs of this weekís American Horror Story.

During the holidays at Briarcliff Manor, you must eat, drink, and be merry, for you might die in like, a few minutes. Kicking off the holidays weeks ahead of time fits right into the time-morphing drama of AHS, and itíd be mighty tough to think of a better way to exemplify Christmas than a straight razor-wielding Ian McShane in a Santa suit. You know how horror anthologies like Tales From the Crypt and Outer Limits make it fun to pick out current celebrities in early roles?

This week's episode of American Horror Story: Asylum brought back Frances Conroy in a dark and truly fantastic role. In a couple of weeks, we'll see another returning actor from Season 1 make their (official) return to the series. Dylan McDermott tweeted a photo of himself on the set and it's very creepy. Spoilers ahead! If you don't want to know who he's playing, read no further!

When I tell unaware people about American Horror Story, itís about the bizarro storytelling style, and the amped up climaxes appearing around every corner. But thereís no way to explain the feeling I have when a plot twist is revealed, and seconds later, I rewind the show to see what I missed due to being lost in thought over how this newly discovered information fits contextually within the growth of the affected character. Why would I do this to myself?

Among the stars of the first season of American Horror Story who were on board to return for Season 2's Asylum is Frances Conroy, who played the older version of the house maid Moira O'Hara in Season 1 and has yet to appear in American Horror Story: Asylum, but we'll see her in this week's episode. Check out this first look photo as Conroy in her new role.

Let ďThe Origins of MonstrosityĒ be less formally known as ďThe One Where They All Tried for Emmys.Ē Back-stories mean monologues, and monologues mean scene chewing, and apparently nobody has frillier teeth for chewing than Joe Fiennes. His performance as Monsignor Howard tonight was played gayer than a game of NAMBLA Spin the Bottle.

Itís displeasing tonightís episode is called ďI Am Anne Frank: Part 2.Ē I certainly hope it shows up as a single episode on the DVDs, because this was honestly one of the most joyously exploitative hours of television Iíve ever sat through. I canít even take an objective step back to consider it from any angle that isnít drowning in dumbstruck glee. Iíll try to tone it down a notch, folks.

There's a storm coming and it's set to arrive just in time for Halloween! A "Nor'easter" to be specific. That's the title of the next new episode of American Horror Story: Asylum, which is set to air next week on Halloween. The preview for the third episode of Season 2 shows the inclement weather that's set to arrive at the asylum.

We've seen the vague, disturbing teasers and the more intrigue, hint-filled trailers. Now FX has offered us an even bigger taste of the upcoming second season of American Horror Story. Those who are ready to enter Asylum but don't want to wait until next week can view the first five minutes of the series online. This includes a look at Adam Levine and Jenna Dewan as the frisky newlyweds, who have embarked on a very unusual kind of honeymoon.

Finally, after rumors, casting updates and twisted teasers, we're starting to see what the new season of American Horror Story is all about. With the series set to tell a whole new story in its second season, there are new characters to get to know and a new setting to explore. We saw a new trailer last week, which gave us a look at Jessica Lange's character and some of the scary happenings at the titled Asylum. The latest trailer introduces us to Adam Levine and Jenna Dewan's characters.

Coming off of his role as the wheelchair-bound Hector Salamanca on AMC's Breaking Bad, actor Mark Margolis has since joined the production of Darren Aronofsky's Noah, which was in production in Iceland as of August. But it looks like the actor is headed back to the small screen and back to excellently dark cable dramas, as he's been tapped to play a role in FX's American Horror Story.